“Ugly Betty” star looks at the presidential hopeful’s Mexican “rapists” comment with optimism, because it motivates Latinos to vote against him and “any other candidate who runs on a platform of hateful rhetoric”

While most are slamming Donald Trump for calling Mexican immigrants criminals and “rapists,” actress America Ferrera is thanking him.

“You see, what you just did with your straight talk was send more Latino voters to the polls than several registration rallies combined! Thank you for that,” Ferrerra wrote in a guest blog for the Huffington Post.

“Here we are pounding the pavement to get American Latinos to the polls, while your tactic proves most effective,” she continued. “Remarks like yours will serve brilliantly to energize Latino voters and increase turnout on election day against you and any other candidate who runs on a platform of hateful rhetoric.”

Ferrera also reminded Trump that the US Latino population has exploded in recent years, with a 49 percent increase between 2000 and 2012. “I hope by now you understand that without the Latino vote, there is no chance of you ever winning this election. If you don’t believe me, you could ask President Bush or you could even ask President Obama,” she wrote.

“You, Mr. Trump, are living in an outdated fantasy of a bigoted America,” the “Ugly Betty” star added. She then referenced the recent Supreme Court decisions legalizing gay marriage and upholding the Affordable Care Act, as well as renewed debate around the Confederate flag, as proof that the tide is turning in America.

She ended her piece by reminding Trump that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants and that Latinos are simply the next wave.

“No, Mr. Trump, you may not reduce us to drug dealers and rapists,” she concluded. “We are moms and dads, sons and daughters. We are valedictorians and honor students. We are college graduates, bankers, police officers, entertainers, teachers, journalists, politicians and we are the future of America.”

15 Times Donald Trump Courted Controversy (Photos)

The U.S. Justice Department accused Trump of not renting to minority tenants in 1973.

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Trump was accused of dooming the fledgling U.S. Football League in 1984 when he insisted it go head to head with the NFL with a fall game schedule.

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Trump sparked a feud with Rosie O'Donnell in 2006, calling the comedian "disgusting" and "a slob," among other things

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In September 2010, Trump accused the imam of a proposed mosque near NYC's Ground Zero of using religion to bargain for a better real estate price.

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Joining the dubious "birther" movement, Trump fought to get President Obama to release his long-form birth certificate in April 2011.

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Trump earned the ire of environmentalists when he unveiled plans for a massive golf course in Scotland in July 2012.

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Trump upset gay rights groups when he compared gay marriage to golf in February 2013.

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In August 2013 Trump was the subject of a civil suit for allegedly false promises made to students of his Trump University.

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A new waterfront Chicago skyscraper opened in 2014 despite widespread complaints about the 20-foot-high sign bearing his name.

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Trump began a feud with Russell Brand after seeing the British comedian on a talk show and disliking what he saw.

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Trump minced no words when he tweeted about the "thugs" rioting in Baltimore in April 2015 following the death of an African American man in police custody.

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Announcing his bid for the GOP nomination in June 2015, Trump set off a media firestorm when he called Mexican immigrants criminals and "rapists."

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Trump reportedly paid actors $50 a head to attend his presidential announcement speech in June 2015.

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Billionaire’s recent public image problems are latest in long line of troubles

The U.S. Justice Department accused Trump of not renting to minority tenants in 1973.